Episode 1x01
ACT ONE
[OPENING CREDITS]
[A hand
taps out Morse code. A train whistle blows. Mr Bates sits in one of the cars. A
woman takes down the telegram message.]
WOMAN
Oh, my God.
MAN
That's impossible. I'll take it up there now.
WOMAN
Don't be stupid. None of them will
be up for hours and what difference will it make?
[She hands him the telegram.]
WOMAN
Jimmy'll do it when he comes in
April 1912
--
[00:01:41,
DOWNTON ABBEY, SERVANTS' CORRIDOR - MORNING] [Daisy knocks on the housemaids'
bedroom door.]
DAISY
Six o'clock!
[HOUSEMAIDS' BEDROOM - MORNING]
[Gwen sits up in bed.]
GWEN
Thank you, Daisy. Anna.
[Anna stirs in her bed.]
ANNA
For once in my life I'd like to
sleep until I woke up natural.
--
[00:02:00, KITCHENS - MORNING]
MRS PATMORE
Is your fire still in?
DAISY
Yes, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE
Oh, my, my, will wonders never
cease? Have you laid the servants' hall breakfast?
DAISY
Yes, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE
And finished blacking that stove?
DAISY
Yes, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE
What about the bedroom fires?
DAISY
All lit, Mrs Patmore.
MRS PATMORE
Right, well, take your things and
get started on the fires on the ground floor.
[Daisy
carries a bucket of firewood through the servants' hall and up through the main
rooms into the library.]
HOUSEMAID 1 (to Daisy)
Now hurry up.
[Daisy
hurries through the library. A footman, Thomas, enters with a silver tray with
two drinks. He collects two more in another room.]
THOMAS
Any sign of William?
HOUSEMAID 2
No.
[Thomas enters the breakfast room
where William is laying the tablecloth.]
THOMAS
Where have you been?
WILLIAM
I'm not late, am I?
THOMAS
You're late when I say you're late.
--
[00:03:30, DRAWING ROOM - MORNING]
[Anna and Gwen open the windows and
fluff the pillows.]
ANNA
Daisy? Whatever are you doing there
crouching in the dark?
DAISY
You weren't here and I didn't want
to touch the curtains with my dirty hands.
GWEN
And quite right, too.
ANNA
Why didn't you put the lights on?
DAISY
I daren't.
GWEN
Well, it's electricity, not the
devil's handiwork. You'll have to get used to it sooner or later.
ANNA
Skelton Park have even got it in
the kitchens.
DAISY
What for?
--
[00:03:57, SERVANTS' CORRIDOR -
MORNING]
[Mrs
Hughes, the housekeeper, walks with the keys. William knocks on the butler's
door while he's polishing the silver.]
WILLIAM
Breakfast is ready, Mr Carson.
MR CARSON
Ah, William, any papers yet?
WILLIAM
They're late.
MR CARSON
They certainly are. Get the board
out so you can do them as soon as they're here.
[William sets up a board used for
ironing the newspaper.]
--
[00:04:17, DRAWING ROOM - MORNING]
MRS HUGHES
Is the library tidy?
ANNA
Yes, Mrs Hughes.
MRS HUGHES
Good. I want the dining room given
a proper going over today. You can do it when they've finished their breakfast.
Oh, heavens, girl! You're building a fire, not inventing it. How many have you
done?
DAISY
This is my last till they come
downstairs.
MRS HUGHES
Very well. Now, get back down to
the kitchens before anyone sees you.
--
[00:04:45, EXT. DOWNTON - MORNING]
[The paperboy cycles up to Downton.
Lady Mary gets out of bed and sees him ride past her window. She rings the
bell.]
--
[00:05:13, SERVANTS' HALL -
MORNING]
[The bell for the Queen Caroline
room rings as the servants are eating breakfast.]
THOMAS
And they're off.
MRS HUGHES
No rest for the wicked.
[Mrs Patmore looks at the bells]
MRS PATMORE
Lady Mary. Are the tea trays ready?
[Anna gets up from the table.]
ANNA
All ready, Mrs Patmore, if the
water's boiled. Could you give us a hand to take the other two up?
MISS O'BRIEN
I've got Her Ladyship's to carry.
GWEN
I'll help.
[Another bell rings.]
MRS HUGHES
Back door.
MR CARSON
The papers at last. William.
--
[00:05:29, EXT. BACK DOOR -
MORNING]
[The paperboy reads the newspaper
as William steps out.]
WILLIAM
You're late.
PAPERBOY
Yeah. I--I know, but--
WILLIAM
But what?
PAPERBOY
You'll see.
--
[00:05:38, MR CARSON'S OFFICE -
MORNING]
[William irons the newspaper.]
MR CARSON
DoThe
Timesfirst. He only reads that at breakfast, andThe Sketchfor HerLadyship. You can manage the others later if need be.
[William
nods as Carson leaves. He starts to fold up the paper, but stops when he sees
something and reads it.]
--
[00:05:55, SERVANTS' HALL -
MORNING]
DAISY
Why are the papers ironed?
MRS PATMORE
What's it to you?
MISS O'BRIEN
To dry the ink, silly. We won't
want His Lordship's hands as black as yours.
[More bells ring. Daisy finishes
clearing the table and Miss O'Brien gets up.]
WILLIAM
Mr Carson, I think you ought to see
this.
[William hands him the newspaper.]
--
[00:06:12, KITCHENS - MORNING]
MRS HUGHES
I can't make myself believe it.
MRS PATMORE
Me neither.
THOMAS
His Lordship's dressed.
[Mrs Patmore looks over at William
who is talking to Daisy.]
MRS PATMORE
William! Will you stop talking and
take this kedgeree up, and mind the burners are still lit.
WILLIAM
Yes, Mrs Patmore.
[William takes the dish and heads
out.]
THOMAS
Is it really true?
WILLIAM
Afraid so.
MRS PATMORE
Nothing in life is sure.
--
[00:06:32, BREAKFAST ROOM -
MORNING]
[Robert, Earl of Grantham, descends
the stairs with his dog.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Morning, Carson.
MR CARSON
Good morning, my lord.
[Robert dishes up the breakfast
buffet for himself.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Is it true what they're saying?
MR CARSON
I believe so, my lord.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I'm afraid we'll know some people
on it. I don't suppose there are any lists of survivors yet?
MR CARSON
I understand most of the ladies
were taken off in time.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
You mean the ladies in first class?
[Carson nods grimly.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
God help the poor devils below
decks.
[Robert takes his breakfast to the
table and puts the napkin in his lap as he sits down.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
On their way to a better life. What
a tragedy.
[Robertopens the newspaper to see a picture of theTitanic. Lady Mary and LadyEdith enter and read over his shoulder.]
LADY EDITH
When Anna told me, I thought she
must've dreamt it.
LADY MARY
Do we know anyone on board?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Your mother
knows the Asters. At least, she knows him. We dined with Lady Rothfuss last
month. There are bound to be others.
LADY EDITH
I thought it was supposed to be
unsinkable.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Every mountain is unclimbable until
someone climbs it, so every ship is unsinkable until it sinks.
THOMAS
My lady.
[Thomas hands Lady Sybil a tray
with the post and she takes the letter before she enters.]
LADY SYBIL
Good morning, Papa.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Morning. What's that?
LADY SYBIL
Just arrived. Telegram.
[Robert opens it while he continues
to read the paper. Then he is stunned by the telegram's contents. His daughters
stare at him, waiting. He gets up from the table without a word.]
--
[00:08:14, CORRIDOR - MORNING]
[Robert passes Miss O'Brien as he
walks down the hall.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Is Her Ladyship awake?
MISS O'BRIEN
Yes, Milord. I'm just going to take
in her breakfast.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Thank you.
[Robert knocks on a door. There's a
muffled reply behind the door.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
May I come in?
[Robert enters.]
--
[00:08:23,INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S BEDROOM - DAY] [Cora is reading theDaily Sketch.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Isn't this terrible? When you think
how excited Lucy Rothfuss was at the prospect. It's too awful for any words.
Did J.J. Aster get off? Of course, that new wife of his has bound to have been
rescued.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I've had a telegram from George
Murray. One of his partners is in New York.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Yes?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
It seems James and Patrick were on
board.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
What? They can't have been. They
weren't going over till may.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Then they changed their plans.
They're definitely on the passenger list.
[O'Brien brings the breakfast tray
to Cora in bed.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Thank you, O'Brien, that'll be all
for the moment. (to Robert) But surely there were picked up?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
It doesn't look like it.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
What?
[Cora puts her breakfast tray
aside.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Neither of them? You must tell
Mary. She can't hear about it from anyone else.
[Robert nods.]
[BREAK 1]
--
ACT TWO
[00:09:23, SERVANTS' CORRIDOR -
DAY]
[A man walks with a cane and a
travel bag.]
--
[00:09:28, LADY MARY'S BEDROOM -
DAY]
[O'Brien holds a white cloth as she
talks to Anna and Gwen as the house maids make the bed.]
MISS O'BRIEN
"Neither of them were picked
up," that's what he said.
ANNA
Mr CrawleyandMr Patrick?
MISS O'BRIEN
That's what he said. Her Ladyship
was the colour of this cloth.
GWEN
Well, it's a terrible shame if it's
true.
MISS O'BRIEN
It's worse than a shame. It's a
complication.
[O'Brien leaves. Gwen and Anna
follow O'Brien down the servants' staircase.]
GWEN
Well, what do you mean?
MISS O'BRIEN
What do you think? Mr Crawley was
His Lordship's cousin and heir to the title.
GWEN
Well, but I thought Lady Mary was
the heir.
MISS O'BRIEN
She's a
girl, stupid. Girls can't inherit. But now Mr Crawley's dead, and Mr Patrick
was his only son. So, what happens next?
ANNA
It's a dreadful thing.
[The maids find Mr Bates standing
in the servants' corridor with his cane and travel bag.]
MR BATES
Hello. I've been waiting at the
back door. I knocked, but no one came.
MISS O'BRIEN
So you pushed in?
MR BATES
I'm John Bates, the new valet.
MISS O'BRIEN
The new valet?
MR BATES
That's right.
[O'Brien looks down at Bates's
cane.]
MISS O'BRIEN
You're early.
MR BATES
Came on the milk train, thought I'd
use the day to get to know the place, start tonight.
ANNA
I'm Anna, the head housemaid.
[Anna shifts the sheets and candle
in her arms to shake his hand.]
MR BATES
How do you do?
[Bates reaches to shake O'Brien's
hand, but she doesn't take it.]
MISS O'BRIEN
And I'm Miss O'Brien, Her
Ladyship's maid. You better come along with us.
[Anna and Bates exchange a small
smile before following into the servants' hall.]
--
[00:10:45, INT. SERVANTS' HALL -
DAY]
MRS HUGHES
But how can you manage?
MR BATES
Don't worry about that. I can
manage.
MRS PATMORE
Because we've all got our own work
to do.
MR BATES
I can manage.
MR CARSON
All right,
Mrs Hughes, I'll take over, thank you. Good morning, Mr Bates. Welcome. I hope
your journey was satisfactory.
MR BATES
It was fine, thank you.
MR CARSON
I am the butler at Downton. My name
is Carson.
MR BATES
How do you do, Mr Carson?
MR CARSON
This is
Thomas, first footman. He's been looking after His Lordship since Mr Watson
left. It'll be a relief to get back to normal, won't it, Thomas?
[Thomas gives a short, insincere
smile. Mr Carson turns to Mrs Hughes.]
MR CARSON
I assume that everything is ready
for Mr Bates's arrival?
MRS HUGHES
I put him in Mr Watson's old room.
Though he left it in quite a state, I can tell you.
MRS PATMORE
But what about all them stairs?
MR BATES
I keep telling you...I can manage.
ANNA
Of course you can.
[Bates and Anna exchange a friendly
smile.]
MR CARSON
Thomas, take Mr Bates to his room
and show him where he'll be working.
[Thomas and Bates leave.]
MR CARSON
Thank you everyone.
MISS O'BRIEN
Well, I can't see that lasting
long.
MR CARSON
Thank you, Miss O'Brien.
[Carson
leaves. Carson looks up at the daunting flights of stairs and Thomas smiles
before ascending ahead of him.]
--
[00:12:02, INT. SERVANTS' BEDROOM
CORRIDOR - DAY]
[Bates is panting as they walk down
the corridor. Thomas opens the door to his room and
Bates looks at the modest wardrobe,
chair, washing basin, cots, nightstand, and dresser.]
MR BATES
Oh, yes. I shall be comfortable
here.
--
[00:12:27, INT. LIBRARY - DAY]
LADY MARY
Does this mean I'll have to go into
full mourning?
[Robert is shocked and upset.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
My first cousin and his son are
almost certainly dead. We will all be in mourning.
LADY MARY
No. I mean, with the other thing.
After all, it wasn't official.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
If you're saying you do not wish to
mourn Patrick as a fiancé, that is up to you.
LADY MARY
Well, no one knew about it outside
the family.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I repeat, it is up to you.
LADY MARY
Well, that's a relief.
[She looks up at her father,
realizing how that sounded. Robert turns to sit down at his desk and Mary
leaves.]
--
[00:13:11,
INT. LORD GRANTHAM'S DRESSING ROOM - DAY] [Thomas shows Bates around the
house.]
THOMAS
There's some cedar-lined cupboards
in the attics for things that aren't often worn, travelling clothes and such.
Mr Watson used them to rotate the summer and winter stuff; I'll show you later.
MR BATES
What about studs and links? Do I
choose them, or does he?
THOMAS
Lay them
out unless he asks for something in particular. These for a ball, these for an
ordinary dinner, these only in London.
MR BATES
I'll get the hang of it.
THOMAS
Yeah, you'll have to.
[Mr Bates lifts a lid on a case.]
THOMAS
Snuff boxes. He collects them.
MR BATES
Beautiful. Funny our job, isn't it?
THOMAS
What do you mean?
MR BATES
The way we live with all this,
pirates horde within our reach. But none of it's ours, is it?
THOMAS
No, none of it's ours.
--
[00:14:04, INT. CORRIDOR - DAY]
[Thomas stops as he passes O'Brien
in the corridor.]
THOMAS
I can't believe I've been passed
over for Long John Silver.
MISS O'BRIEN
You should've spoken up when you
had the chance. Don't make the same mistake next time.
THOMAS
Who says there'll be a next time?
[Mrs Hughes enters the corridor.]
MRS HUGHES
Is this a public holiday no one's
told me of?
[Thomas continues on his way.]
--
[00:14:28,
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS - DAY] [Robert and Cora go on a walk with the dog.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
She was certainly reluctant to go
into mourning.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Well, she'll have to; we all will.
O'Brien's sorting out my black now, and I've told Anna to see what the girls
have that still fits. Of course, this alters everything. You won't try to deny
it. You must challenge the entail now, surely?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Can't we at least wait until weknowthey're dead before we discuss it?
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Don't talk as if I'm not
broken-hearted, because I am. Of course, I've never understood why this estate
must go to whomever inherits your title.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
My dear, I don't make the law.
[Mr Carson approaches them from the
house.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
What is it?
MR CARSON
The Dowager Countess is in the
drawing room.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I'll come now.
MR CARSON
She asked for Lady Grantham.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
I wonder what I've done wrong this
time.
MR CARSON
And the new valet has arrived, My
Lord.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Has he? Er...thank you, Carson.
[Carson clears his throat.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
What is it?
MR CARSON
I'm not entirely sure that he'll
prove equal to the task, but Your Lordship will be the judge of that.
[Carson returns to the house and
Robert turns to Cora.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Better go.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Tell her about James and Patrick;
she won't have heard.
--
[00:15:41, INT. DRAWING ROOM - DAY]
[Violet is dressed in black.]
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Of course I've heard. Why else would I be here?
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Robert didn't want you to read
about it in a newspaper and be upset.
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM He flatters me. I'm tougher than I look.
[Cora sighs.]
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
I'm very sorry about poor Patrick,
of course. He was a nice boy.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
We were all so fond of him.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
But I never
cared for James. He was too like his mother and a nastier woman never drew
breath.
[Cora puts on a smile.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Will you stay for some luncheon?
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Thank you.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
I'll let Carson know.
[Cora heads for the door.]
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM I've already told him. Shall we sit down?
[They sit.]
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Do you know the new heir?
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Only that there is one.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
He's
Robert's third cousin, once removed. I have never, well, to my knowledge, set
eyes on him.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Of course, if your late husband
hadn't forced me to sign that absurd act of legal theft--
[Violet puts up a hand.]
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
My dear, I
didn't come here to fight. Lord Grantham wanted to protect the estate. It never
occurred to him that you wouldn't have a son.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Well, I didn't.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
No...you
did not. But when Patrick had married Mary, and you grandson been hailed as
master, honour would have been satisfied. Unfortunately, now...
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Now a complete unknown has the
right to pocket my money, along with the rest of the swag.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
The problem
is, saving your dowry would break up the estate. It would be the ruin of
everything Robert's given his life to.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
And he knows this?
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Well, if he doesn't, he will.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Then there's no answer.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
Yes, there
is, and it's a simple one. The entail must be smashed in its entirety, and Mary
recognized as heiress of all.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
There's nothing we can do about the
title.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
No. She
can't have the title. But she can have your money. And the estate. I didn't run
Downton for thirty years to see it go lock, stock, and barrel to a stranger
from God knows where.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Are we to be friends, then?
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
We are allies, my dear, which can
be a good deal more effective.
--
[00:18:01, INT. SERVANTS' HALL -
DAY]
[Daisy
carries a pitcher from the kitchens to the servants' hall where the servants
are sitting down to luncheon.]
MR CARSON
Downton is
a great house, Mr Bates, and the Crawleys are a great family. We live by
certain standards and those standards can at first seem daunting.
MR BATES
Of course.
MR CARSON
If you find
yourself tongue-tied in the presence of His Lordship, I can only assure you
that his manners and grace will soon help you to perform your duties to the
best of your ability.
MR BATES
I know.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Bates!
[All of the servants stand.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
My dear fellow. I do apologise, I
should have realised you'd all be at luncheon.
MR CARSON
Not at all, my lord.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Please,
sit. Sit, everyone. I just want to say a quick hello to my old comrade in arms.
Bates, my dear man, welcome to Downton.
[They shake hands.]
MR BATES
Thank you, sir.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I'm so sorry to have disturbed you
all. Please forgive me.
[Robert
leaves and the ones who seated themselves rise slightly in their chairs. The
servants turn their surprised looks on Mr Bates. He shrugs.]
MR BATES
You never asked.
[BREAK 2]
ACT THREE
[00:19:01, INT. KITCHENS - DAY]
MRS PATMORE
Thomas, take that up.
[Daisy moves to help him.]
MRS PATMORE
Easy, Daisy, he's a grown man! I
suppose he can lift a meat pie.
[Daisy smiles brightly at Thomas as
he exits with the tray.]
MRS PATMORE
Now, put that apple tart in the
lower oven.
[Daisy complies.]
MRS PATMORE
Oh, and take that away. Mr Lynch
shouldn't have left it there.
DAISY
What is it?
MRS PATMORE
Salt of
sorrel. I asked him for some to clean the brass pots. So, put it somewhere
careful; it's poison.
DAISY
Seems like a lot of food when you
think they're all in mourning.
MRS PATMORE
Nothing makes you hungrier or more
tired than grief.
[Daisy gazes after Thomas with a
smitten smile as he takes up the next dish.]
MRS PATMORE
When my
sister died, God rest her soul, I ate my way through four platefuls of
sandwiches at one sitting and slept 'round the clock.
DAISY
Did it make you feel better?
MRS PATMORE
Not much, but it passed the time.
Oh, my lord. What was this chopped egg suppose to be sprinkled on?
DAISY
Was it the chicken?
MRS PATMORE
It was. Take it upstairs now.
DAISY
I can't go in the dining room.
MRS PATMORE
I should think not! Find Thomas or
William and tell them what to do. Oh, for heaven's sake, get a move on, girl,
before they get back from church!
[Daisy grabs the bowl and rushes
out.]
--
[00:20:03, EXT. CHURCHYARD - DAY]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Well, we've given them a memorial
in London and a memorial here.
GEORGE MURRAY
I prefer memorials to funerals,
they're less dispiriting.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
We could hardly have held a funeral
without the bodies.
GEORGE MURRAY
I gather they're putting up a stoneto mark those whose bodies were never found. In fact, I hear the Canadians aremaking quite a thing of theTitaniccemetery. I'm surprised at thenumber they found. You'd think the sea would've taken more of them.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
So, Murray, what have you to tell
me about the lucky Mr Crawley? Nothing too terrible, I hope.
[Murray chuckles.]
GEORGE MURRAY
I've only made a few inquiries, but
no, there's, er, not much to alarm you. Matthew Crawley is a
solicitor based in Manchester.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Manchester?
GEORGE MURRAY
His special
field is company law. His mother is alive and he lives with her, his father
obviously is not; he was a doctor.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I know. It does seem odd that my
third cousin should be a doctor.
GEORGE MURRAY
There are worse professions.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Indeed.
--
[00:21:09, INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
- DAY]
[William stops to wipe his brow and
Daisy rushes up to him.]
DAISY
Do me a favour, this is supposed to
be sprinkled on the chicken.
WILLIAM
Isn't there more to go up?
DAISY
Oh, please, it won't take a moment!
WILLIAM
All right, give it to me.
--
[00:21:18,
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, GROUNDS - DAY] [The mourners walk back to the house.]
GEORGE MURRAY
We ought to
talk about the business of the entail. As you know, on your death the heir to
the title inherits everything except for the sums set aside for your daughters
and your widow.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Yes?
GEORGE MURRAY
Owing to the terms of her
settlement, this will include the bulk of your wife's fortune.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM (sigh)
It has been our sole topic of
conversation since the day the ship went down.
GEORGE MURRAY
Of course, it must seem horribly
unjust to Lady Grantham, but that is how the law stands.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Is there really no way to detach
her money from the estate? Even to me it seems absurd.
GEORGE MURRAY
Your father tied the knots pretty
tight; I'd say it's unbreakable.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I see.
[Further back, Edith weeps into her
handkerchief.]
LADY MARY
Really, Edith, do you have to put
on such an exhibition?
LADY SYBIL
She's not.
LADY MARY
I was supposed to be engaged to
him, for heaven's sake, not you, and I can control myself.
LADY EDITH
Then you should be ashamed.
--
[00:22:11, INT. KITCHENS - DAY]
MRS PATMORE
Oh, don't tell me you haven't sent
up the egg yet!
[Daisy panics and rushes out with
the bowl. She grabs Gwen in the corridor.]
DAISY
Oh, God! Help me! Please, God, help
me!
GWEN
What on earth's the matter?
DAISY
Just run upstairs to the dining
room and find William, I beg you!
GWEN
I can't do that now.
DAISY
You've got to. I'll be hanged if
you don't.
GWEN
What?
WILLIAM
Daisy, is that you?
[William comes down the stairs with
the bowl in his hand.]
WILLIAM
Is it the chicken in a sauce or the
plain chicken with sliced oranges?
DAISY
Oh, thank you blessed and merciful
Lord! Thank you!
[Daisy swaps the egg dish with the
salt of sorrel that William's holding.]
DAISY
It's the chicken in the sauce. I'll
never do anything simple again, I swear it, not till I die!
[Gwen stares after Daisy in
confusion.]
--
[00:22:45,
EXT. DOWNTON ABBEY, FRONT WALK - DAY] [Cora meets the mourning party at the
front door.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Mr Murray, how lovely to see you.
Do come in.
GEORGE MURRAY
You're very kind, Lady Grantham,
but I must get back to London.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
But you'll stay for luncheon?
GEORGE MURRAY
Thank you,
but no. I'll eat on the train. In fact, if you'd be so good as to ask for the
motor to be brought 'round?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Mm.
[Robert turns to Carson, who nods.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
But didn't you want the afternoon
to talk things through?
GEORGE MURRAY
I think we've said everything we
have to say, haven't we, my lord?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Oh, for the time being, yes. Thank
you, Murray. You've given me a good deal to think about.
[Murray turns to leave and Mary leads
her sisters towards the house.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Mary, try to get everyone into the
dining room. Edith, make sure old Lord Minturn sits down.
--
[00:23:23, INT. MR CARSON'S OFFICE
- DAY]
[Someone knocks at the door as
Carson decanters some wine.]
MR CARSON
Mm-hmm?
[Mrs Hughes enters.]
MRS HUGHES
They've all gone?
MR CARSON
They have, thank the Lord.
MRS HUGHES
What about the lawyer?
MR CARSON
Oh, he was the first away. Didn't
even stay for the luncheon.
MRS HUGHES
I wish
they'd make their minds up. Gwen's put clean sheets on the blue room bed. Now
she'll just have to strip it again.
MR CARSON
Can't you leave it for the next
guest?
MRS HUGHES
Well, only if you don't tell.
[Carson chuckles.]
MRS HUGHES
So...has it all been settled?
MR CARSON (sigh)
I don't
know if anything's been settled. There's a fellow in Manchester with claims to
the title, I gather, but it's all a long way from settled.
MRS HUGHES
You mustn't take it personally.
MR CARSON
Oh, I do
take it personally, Mrs Hughes. I can't stand by and watch our family
threatened with the loss of all they hold dear.
MRS HUGHES (chuckles)
They're not our family.
MR CARSON
Well, they're all the family I've got.
[Mrs Hughes is surprised and
humbled by his sharp sincerity.]
MR CARSON
I beg your pardon.
MRS HUGHES
Do you...ever wish you'd...gone
another way?
[Carson looks up sharply.]
MRS HUGHES
Worked in a shop or a factory? Had
a wife and children?
MR CARSON
Do you?
MRS HUGHES
I don't know. Maybe. Sometimes.
[Someone knocks at the door.]
GWEN
William's laid tea in the library,
but Her Ladyship hasn't come down.
MRS HUGHES
She'll be tired. Take a tray up to
her bedroom.
[Gwen nods.]
MR CARSON
Is Thomas back?
GWEN
Not yet, Mr Carson.
[Mrs Hughes turns to Carson for an
explanation.]
MR CARSON
He asked if he could run down the
village, I didn't see why not.
--
[00:25:11, EXT. THE VILLAGE - DAY]
[Thomas exits a shop and walks down
the street.]
--
[00:25:29, INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S
BEDROOM - DAY]
[Gwen brings in a tea tray while
O'Brien helps Cora dress. O'Brien waits for Gwen to leave.]
MISS O'BRIEN
It's iniquitous. They can't expect
you to sit by silent as your fortune is stolen away.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Can't they?
MISS O'BRIEN
His Lordship'd never let it happen.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
How's Bates working out?
MISS O'BRIEN
Well, I don't like to say. Only, it
seems unkind to criticize a man for an affliction, milady. And even if it means
he can't do his job.
--
[00:26:08, INT. LIBRARY - DAY]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
How are you settling in?
MR BATES
Very well, I think. Unless Your Lordship
feels differently.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
No complaints?
MR BATES
If I had any, I should take them to
Mr Carson, milord, not you.
[Robert chuckles.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
You're probably right. And the
house hasn't worn you out with the endless stairs and everything?
MR BATES
I like the house, my lord, and I
like it as a place to work.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
What happened?
MR BATES
Oh, it's only the old wound. After
I left the army, I had a spot of bother and just when I got through that, about
a year ago my knee started playing up. A bit of shrapnel got left in or
something had moved, but it's fine. It's not a problem.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
And you'd let me know if you felt
it was all too much for you?
MR BATES
I would. But it won't be.
--
[00:26:54, EXT. COURTYARD - DAY]
[Thomas returns while O'Brien is on
her smoke break.]
SERVANT
Thomas.
MISS O'BRIEN
And where have you been?
THOMAS
In the village. Sent a telegram, if
you must know.
MISS O'BRIEN
Oh, pardon me for living.
[She offers him a cigarette.]
MISS O'BRIEN
Well, Murray didn't stay long.
THOMAS
Does Her Ladyship know how they
left it?
MISS O'BRIEN
No. They talked it all through on
their way back from the church.
THOMAS
If I was still his valet, I'd get
it out of him.
MISS O'BRIEN
Bates won't say a word.
THOMAS
He will
not? I bet your tanner he's a spy in the other direction. I wanted that job. We
were all right together, His Lordship and me.
MISS O'BRIEN
Then be sure to get your foot in
the door when Bates is gone.
THOMAS
Can't get rid of him just 'cause he
talks behind our backs.
MISS O'BRIEN
There's more than one way to skin a
cat.
--
[00:27:49,
INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM - EVENING] [Anna fixes Mary's hair.]
ANNA
Perhaps she misunderstood.
LADY MARY
No, it was quite plain. O'Brien
told her Bates can't do the job properly. Why was he taken on?
ANNA
Oh, he was Lord Grantham's batman
when he was fighting the Boers.
LADY MARY
I know that, but even so.
LADY SYBIL
I think it's romantic.
LADY MARY
I don't. How can a valet do his
work if he's lame?
ANNA
He's not very lame.
[Anna finishes Mary's hair.]
ANNA
There. Anything else before I go down?
LADY MARY
No, that's it. Thank you.
[Mary looks at herself in the full
mirror as Anna exits.]
LADY MARY
Oh, I hate black.
LADY SYBIL
It's not for long. Mama says we can
go into half-mourning next month and back to colours by September.
LADY MARY
It still seems a lot for a cousin.
LADY EDITH
But not a fiancé.
LADY MARY
He wasn't really a fiancé.
LADY EDITH
No? I thought that was what you
call a man you're going to marry.
LADY MARY
I was only going to marry him if
nothing better turned up.
LADY SYBIL
Mary, what a horrid thing to say.
LADY MARY
Don't worry, Edith would've taken
him, wouldn't you?
LADY EDITH
Yes, I'd have taken him. If you had
given me the chance, I'd have taken him like a shot.
--
[00:29:00, INT. SERVANTS' CORRIDOR
- EVENING]
THOMAS
I just think you should know it's
not working, Mr Carson.
MR CARSON
Do you mean Mr Bates is lazy?
THOMAS
Not lazy...exactly. But he just
can't carry. He can hardly manage His Lordship's cases. You saw how it was when
they went out to London for the memorial. He can't help with the guest luggage
neither, and as for waiting a table, we can forget that.
MR CARSON
And what do you want me to do?
THOMAS
Well, it's
not for me to say. But is it fair on William to have all the extra work? I
don't believe you'd like to think the house was falling below the way things
ought to be.
MR CARSON
I would not.
THOMAS
That's all I'm saying.
--
[00:29:37, INT. LADY MARY'S BEDROOM
- EVENING]
[Mary stares at her reflection in
the looking glass. Sybil pops her head in.]
LADY SYBIL
I'm going down. Coming?
LADY MARY
In a moment. You go.
[Sybil enters and closes the door.]
LADY SYBIL
I know you're sad about Patrick.
Whatever you say, I know it.
LADY MARY
You're a darling. But you see, I'm
not as sad as I should be. And that's what makes me sad.
--
[00:30:10,
INT. LORD GRANTHAM'S DRESSING ROOM - EVENING] [Bates brushes down Robert's
tailcoat.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Thank you.
[Bates drops the brush.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I'll do that.
MR BATES
No. No, thank you, milord. I can do
it.
[Bates picks up the brush.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I'm sure.
MR BATES
I hope so, milord. I hope you are
sure.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Bates, we
have to be sensible. I won't be doing you a favour in the long run if it's too
much for you. No matter what we've been through, it's got to work.
MR BATES
Of course it has, sir. I mean,
milord.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Do you miss the army, Bates?
MR BATES
I miss a lot of things, but you
have to keep moving, don't you?
[Robert chuckles.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
You do, indeed.
MR BATES
I'll show you, milord, I promise. I
won't let you down. We've managed so far, haven't we?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Yes, we have. Of course we have.
--
[00:30:51,
INT. LADY GRANTHAM'S BEDROOM - EVENING] [Robert knocks and enters.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
You look very nice.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Thank you, darling. Did Murray make
matters clearer?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Yes, I'm afraid he did.
[Cora is disappointed, but she
waits for O'Brien to leave before speaking.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
By the way,
O'Brien says Bates is causing a lot of awkwardness downstairs. You may have to
do something about it.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
She's always making trouble.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Is that fair? When she hasn't mentioned
it before now.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I don't know why you listen to her.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
It is quite eccentric, even for
you, to have a cripple valet.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Please...don't use that word.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Did he tell you he couldn't walk
when he made his application?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Don't exaggerate.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Doesn't it strike you as dishonest
not to mention it?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I knew he'd been wounded.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
You never said.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
You know I don't care to talk about
all that.
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Of course, I understand what it
must be like to have fought alongside someone in a war.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Oh, you understand that, do you?
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Certainly I do. You must form the
most tremendous bonds. Even with a servant.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Really? "Even with a
servant"?
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
Oh, Robert, don't catch me out. I'm
simply saying I fully see why you want to help him.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
But?
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
But...is
this the right way? To employ him for a job he can't do? Is it any wonder the
others noses are put out?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
I just want to give him a chance.
[Cora sighs.]
--
[00:32:19, INT. DRAWING ROOM -
EVENING]
[Robert enters to find Violet
looking out a window.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Mama, I'm sorry. No one told me you
were here.
[Violet
turns around and opens her decorative fan to block the light coming from the
electric chandelier.]
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Such a glare. I feel as if I were on stage at the
Gaiety.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
We're used
to it. I do wish you'd let me install it in the Dower House; it's very
convenient. The man who manages the generator could look after yours as well.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
No. I
couldn't have electricity in the house. I wouldn't sleep a wink. All those
vapours seeping about.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Even Cora won't have it in the
bedroom. She did wonder about the kitchens, but I couldn't see the point.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
Well, before anyone joins us, I'm
glad of this chance for a little talk.
[They sit.]
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM I gather Murray was here today?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
News travels fast. Yes, I saw him,
and he's not optimistic that there's anything we can do.
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Well, I refuse to believe it.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Be that as it may, it's a fact.
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM But to lose Cora's fortune!
[Robert scoffs and stands up.]
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
Really, Mama, you know as well as I
do that Cora's fortune is not Cora's fortune anymore. Thanks to Papa it is now
part of the estate, and the estate is entailed to my heir. That is it. That is
all of it.
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Robert, dear, I don't mean to sound harsh--
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
You may not mean to, but I bet you
will.
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
Twenty-four years ago, you married
Cora against my wishes for her money! Give it away now, what was the point of your
peculiar marriage in the first place?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
If I were to tell you she's made me
very happy, would that stretch belief?
VIOLET, DOWAGER COUNTESS OF
GRANTHAM
It's not why you chose her...above
all those other girls who could've filled my shoes so easily.
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
If you must know, when I think of
my motives for pursuing Cora, I'm ashamed. There's no need to remind me of
them.
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM Don't you care about Downton?
ROBERT, EARL OF GRANTHAM
What do you think? I've given my
life to Downton. I was born here, and I hope to die here. I claim no career
beyond the nurture of this house and the estate. It is my third parent and my
fourth child. Do I care about it? Yes, I do care!
[Someone enters and Violet gives
him a shushing expression.]
CORA, COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM
I hope I don't hear sounds of a
disagreement.
VIOLET,
DOWAGER COUNTESS OF GRANTHAM What? Is that what they call discussion in New
York?
LADY MARY
Well, I'm glad you're fighting. I'm
glad somebody's putting up a fight
LADY SYBIL
You're not really fighting Granny,
are you, Papa?
